Structure of foldable underwater sports mask, its body, and carrying case

ABSTRACT

A structure of a foldable underwater sports mask, comprising a body, two lenses and a water sealing skirt, wherein the body has two lens frames and a bridge connecting the two lens frames. The two lens frames are capable of being at least partially separated from each other at an area of the bridge, so that the mask can be in a folded state for easy storage and carrying.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefits of U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 63/245,341 filed on Sep. 17, 2021, and No. 63/249,778 filed on Sep. 29, 2021. Both the above applications are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mask for underwater sports, especially to a mask structure for snorkeling or diving.

Descriptions of the Related Art

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, except for the full-face snorkel mask, FFSM, almost 90% of the mask 1 currently on the market only cover the eyes and nose, but not the mouth. It includes a body 2, two lenses 3 for the left and right eyes, and a skirt 4 extending backward. The body 2 is mostly made of hard material, and a sub-frame 5 (integrated or separated into a couple of pieces) is sandwiched inside to accommodate the separated lenses 3, while the skirt 4 is elastic and made of a soft material such as silicone, which not only extends around and backward from the body 2, but also is integrally formed with the nose area 6 of the mask 1. When the user wears the mask 1, the skirt 4 can be just placed around the eyes to the philtrum portion below the nostrils to form a circle, so as to achieve the airtight and waterproof effect for the eyes and nose. The user's mouth takes over the breathing job by containing the mouthpiece of the breathing tube 7 or another equipment connected to the atmosphere or an air provider.

The lenses of swimming goggles are small, and separately provided on both sides, and the middle connection only relies on a light bridging tie. Opposed to the swimming goggles, in the structure of the above mask 1, the lens 3 is very large, no matter how much the soft skirt 4 is squeezed, it still occupies a certain volume. Whether being carried alone or put in a carrying case, it is still quite large and occupies a lot of space in travel luggage. The rental company or the sales company of the mask 1 is also very inflexible in the display. This situation has not changed for decades, so a breakthrough is urgently needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based on the basic characteristics that the skirt is soft, elastic, and integrally formed (without being divided into the left and the right), the main frame of the mask which is integrally formed to hold two separate lens frames is motivated to make the left and right lens frame be separable, i.e., make the main frame into two detachable halves. When being stored, the left and right lens frames can spatially overlap each other (face-to-face or back-to-back overlapping), to achieve a similar effect of folding. When being used, the lens frames can be folded back to connect to each other and placed into an original state of use.

However, the skirt and the nose pocket are soft, and occupy a large volume of the mask after all. After being folded in half, unless the left and right lens frames must be pressed relative to each other and the skirt must be stuffed into the hard case immediately, as soon as the user lets the folded mask go, the soft and bulky skirt and nose pocket will pop open quickly. The whole appearance will look messier when the head strap is left outside. Therefore, improved mechanism is envisaged in the present invention, that is, the left and right halves of the folded half lens frame should preferably be gathered by some means, so that the folded mask can always maintain a minimum volume and a tidier storage appearance.

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a structure of a foldable underwater sports mask, comprising: a body having two lens frames, two lenses respectively disposed in the two lens frames, and a water sealing skirt extending backward from the body. The water sealing skirt has a skirt frame portion and a gasket portion, wherein the two lens frames, the skirt frame, and the outer peripheries of the two lens portions are water-sealed with one another. When a user wears the mask, the rear periphery of the gasket portion is suitable to be water-sealed with the user's face. The structure further includes a bridge portion. The two lens frames can be at least partially separated from each other at the bridge portion, so that the underwater sports mask structure can be in a folded state about the water sealing skirt.

The secondary objective of the present invention is to continue the above-mentioned mask structure, and additionally provide a fastening measure. When the mask is in a folded state, the two sides of the lens frame can be detachably connected to get even better compactness and facilitate storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a prior art snorkeling equipment.

FIGS. 1B and 1C are a perspective view of the snorkeling mask of FIG. 1A, and an exploded schematic view thereof, respectively.

FIG. 2A is a perspective exploded schematic view of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a schematic perspective view of FIG. 2A after assembly.

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram of the mask of FIG. 2B after being folded in half.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are a front view of one embodiment of the foldable body of the present invention, a cross-sectional view along the line 3B-3B, and a partially exploded enlarged view of the bridge portion, respectively.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are a front view of another embodiment of the foldable body of the present invention, a cross-sectional view along the line 4B-4B, and a partially exploded enlarged view of the bridge portion, respectively.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are a front view of yet a further embodiment of the foldable body of the present invention, a cross-sectional view along the line 5B-5B, and a partially exploded enlarged view of the bridge portion, respectively.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a front view of still yet another embodiment of the foldable body of the present invention and a partially exploded enlarged view of the bridge portion, respectively.

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded enlarged view of the bridge portion of a further embodiment of the foldable frame of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded enlarged view of the bridge portion of yet another embodiment of the foldable frame of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are a front view of another embodiment of the foldable body of the present invention, a cross-sectional view along the line 9B-9B, and a partially exploded enlarged view of the bridge portion, respectively.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are a three-dimensional view of the foldable mask (including the head strap) of the present invention and a schematic view of the foldable mask ready for storage after being folded in half, respectively.

FIG. 10C is an embodiment in which the two outer sides of the two lens frames are detachably fastened with each other after the mask of the present invention is folded in half.

FIG. 10D is another embodiment in which the two outer sides of the two lens frames are detachably fastened with each other after the mask of the present invention is folded in half.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic views of the mask of the present invention before and after it is folded in half, and respectively accommodated in a carrying case.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a structure of a foldable underwater sports mask 10 includes a body 11 having two lens frames 12, two lenses 13 respectively disposed in the two lens frames 12, and a water sealing skirt 14 extending backward from the body 11. The water sealing skirt 14 has a skirt frame portion 141 and a gasket portion 142. The two lens frames 12, the skirt frame portion 141 and the outer peripheral edge 131 of the two lenses 13 are water-sealed to fit with each other to form the structure as shown in FIG. 2B. When a user wears the mask 10, the rear peripheral edge 143 of the gasket portion 142 is suitable to cover the user's eyes and nose, and water-sealed to fit with the user's face (not shown). The lens frames 12 may be formed into one single piece, or may be formed by a main frame 121 and two sub-frames 122, which together sandwich the outer periphery 131 of each lens 13 and the skirt frame 141, as shown in FIG. 2A.

The structure of the underwater sports mask 10 further includes a bridge portion 15, and the two lens frames 12 are at least partially separatable from each other at the bridge portion 15, so that the underwater sports mask structure can be transformed to be a folded state along the water sealing skirt, as shown in FIG. 2C. Because the water sealing skirt 14 has a water-seal function, and is located behind the body 11, the two lens frames 12 which are made into a structure that can be separated from each other will not influence the desired function of water sealing the mask with the user's face. Moreover, the water sealing skirt 14 is often formed integrally into one piece, so the two lens frames 12 which are separated from each other at the bridge portion 15 do not cause the entire mask 10 to be separated. That is, the mask 10 is just bent along, and still be restrained by, the water sealing skirt 14. This folded state is also shown in FIG. 2C. The following are several exampled embodiments showing how the two lens frames 12 are at least partially separable from each other and the bridge portion 15.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, in the area of the bridge portion 35, one of the lens frames 32 has a male connector, such as a protrusion 33, and the other lens frame 32 is provided with a female connector, such as a recess 34 corresponding to the shape of the protrusion 33, so that the two can be connected in a laterally detachable manner. Of course, the connecting way of the male connector and the female connector are not necessarily the protrusions 33 and the recesses 34. Any other forms are also feasible. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, an irregularly shaped male piece 43 is provided on one of the lens frames 42, and the other lens frame 42 is matched with a correspondingly shaped female piece 44, so that the two are coupled in the form of a transverse tenon-mortise joint, which can make the structure more solid and stable.

As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, in order to improve the stability of the lateral joint, a latch 56 can be additionally provided on the area of the bridge portion 55. In this embodiment, specifically, the male connector has a first joint piece 53, and a first through hole 531 formed on the first joint piece 53, and the female connector has two second joint pieces 54, and two second through holes 541 respectively formed on the second joint piece 54. After the female connector and the male connector is laterally coupled, the first joint piece 53 can be sandwiched between the two second joint pieces 54, and the first through hole 531 and the two second through holes 541 are substantially aligned with one another for the latch 56 to pass therethrough in position. The number of the first joint pieces 53 and the second joint pieces 54 is not limited, as long as their overlapping arrangement is allowed within the range of the material thickness of the bridging portion 55.

FIGS. 6A and 6B shows another feasible way to configure the latch to be positioned in a different direction. Specifically, a latch 66 may be additionally provided on the area of the bridge portion 65. Similarly, the male connector has a first joint piece 63 and a first through hole 631 formed on the first joint piece 63, the female connector has two second joint pieces 64 and two second through holes 641 respectively formed on the second joint pieces 64. After the female connector and the male connector are laterally coupled, the first joint piece 63 can be sandwiched between the second joint pieces 64, while the first through hole 631 of the first through hole 631 and the two second through holes 641 of the two joint pieces 64 are substantially aligned with one another for the latch 66 passing therethrough in a direction from the front to the rear. Likewise, the above-mentioned first joint pieces 63 and first joint pieces 64 are not limited in number, as long as a reasonable number of first joint pieces 63 and first joint pieces 64 can be allowed to overlap within the material thickness range of the bridging portion 65.

The latches 56, 66 are used to improve the stability of use when the two lens frames 52, 62 are coupled. Preferably, the latches 56, 66 each have a head 561, 661, which is convenient for the user's finger to push against during assembly. In addition, because the heads 561 and 661 each comes with a surface, patterns, or fonts such as the brand, model or trademark of the mask can be engraved on it to increase the recognition of purchase and enhance the quality of the product.

The detachable ways of the above-mentioned lens frames are only examples, any other ways, such as at least one of the two lens frames 72 at the bridge portion 75, which is embedded with a neodymium magnet 73, to be connected with the other lens frame 72 which is embedded with a similar magnet or just a metal piece 74, along with a simple alignment device (not shown), is also feasible, as shown in FIG. 7 . Alternatively, using a hinge 83 to be installed between the two lens frames 82 on the bridge portion 85, so that the two lens frames 82 form a pivotable relation, a partially separable relation, as shown in FIG. 8 , is also convenient for assembly and use.

In addition, the two lens frames of FIGS. 3C, 4C, 5C, and 6C are not necessarily the only way in which the lateral (transverse) tenon-mortise joint is used. FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C show an alternative way. Specifically, at the area of the bridge portion 95, one of the lens frames 92 has a male connector, such as a dovetail-shaped male portion 93, and the other frame 92 has a female connector, such as a dovetail-shaped female portion 94, which corresponds to the shape of the male portion 93 and is in a vertically detachable joint manner with the male portion 93.

After the mask 10 is folded in half in the above-mentioned various ways, the exposed portions of the head strap 101 and the water sealing skirt 106 can be arranged as far as possible into the space between the two lens frames 102, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. After that, the two lens frames 102 are temporarily combined, which is more convenient for storage. Further, taking the mask 100 of FIG. 10A as an example, the two lens frames 102 respectively have two outer sides, except for the head strap 101 to be connected therebetween, one of the outer sides has at least one male fastening portion 103, and the other has at least one female fastening portion 104 corresponding thereto in position and shape. When the underwater sports mask 100 is in the folded state, the male fastening portion 103 can be detachably buckled with the female fastening portion 104. FIG. 10C shows the embodiments of two male fastening portions 103 which are engaged with two female fastening portions 104, in which the male fastening portions 103 are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the outer side of one lens frame where the head strap 101 is connected. The female fastening portions 104 are disposed in a similar way on the opposite lens frame. Of course, the method of the temporary connection for the outer sides of the two lens frames 102 is not limited. Alternatively, a U-shaped fastener 108 can be additionally provided. This way, the two outer sides of the two lens frames 102 are respectively formed with two slots 107. When the structure 100 is in the folded state, the U-shaped fastener 108 can be inserted into and connected between the two slots 107, for example, in a “click into place” manner, in order to temporarily position the two lens frames, as shown in FIG. 10D. Of course, the fasteners do not have to be U-shaped, nor do they have to be additional fasteners, as long as the left and right half or lens frames can be combined and not loosened at will, such as magnetic engagement (e.g., a neodymium magnet is embedded on one side, and a magnetic or metal piece that can be coupled with), or even the commonly used Velcro connection.

When the above-mentioned mask is folded and stored in half, the lateral area occupied by the mask is reduced by at least half, and the volume of the carrying case or display package for accommodating the mask is also greatly reduced. After the actual measurement of the same mask 100 before and after it is folded in half, the inner volume of the carrying case can be reduced from 1,275 ml of the rectangular carrying case 111 required before folding to 595 ml of the trapezoidal carrying case 112 required after folding. Carrying at the end of use or display at the selling end greatly improves flexibility, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. Moreover, when the product is displayed, it is no longer as boring as a traditional face mask, but only half of the frame and one lens can be exposed in the display direction, breaking away from the traditional stereotype, naturally attracting attention and greatly increasing the discussion and purchase desire.

It is fully described in the above-mentioned preferred embodiments for the structure and operation mode of the technical means of the present invention, which helps to realize the technology and its equivalents; however, should not limit the claims as set forth in the last paragraph. For example, the mask mentioned in the above description is not limited to the traditional diving or snorkeling mask as shown in the figure, any other type of mask including full-face or half-face snorkeling masks with left and right separated lenses, all belongs to the object of protection. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A structure of a foldable underwater sports mask, comprising: a body, having two lens frames; two lenses, respectively disposed in the two lens frames; a water sealing skirt, extending backward from the body, and having a skirt frame portion and a gasket portion, wherein the two lens frames, the skirt frame portion, and outer peripheries of the two lenses are water-sealed with one another; when a user wears the mask, the gasket portion at least covers the user's eyes and nose, and is water-sealed with the user's face; characterized in that: the structure further includes a bridge portion, and the two lens frames are capable of being at least partially separated from each other at the bridge portion, so that the structure can be in a folded state along the water sealing skirt.
 2. The structure of a foldable underwater sports mask according to claim 1, wherein one of the two lens frames has a male connector; the other has a female connector, which is laterally and detachably coupled with the male connector.
 3. The structure of a foldable underwater sports mask according to claim 2, further comprising a latch, wherein the male connector has a first joint piece and a first through hole disposed on the first joint piece, the female connector has two second joint pieces and two second through holes respectively formed on the second joint pieces; when the female connector and the male connector are laterally coupled, the first through hole and the two second through holes are substantially aligned with one another for the latch passing therethrough.
 4. The structure of a foldable underwater sports mask according to claim 2, wherein one of the male connectors and the female connector is a neodymium magnet, and the other is selected from one of neodymium magnet and a metal piece.
 5. The structure of a foldable underwater sports mask according to claim 1, wherein one of the two lens frames has a male connector; the other has a female connector, which is vertically mortised with the male connector.
 6. The structure of a foldable underwater sports mask according to claim 1, wherein the two lens frames are pivotally connected.
 7. The structure of a foldable underwater sports mask according to claim 1, wherein the two lens frames respectively have two outer sides, and the two outer sides are capable of being detachably connected to each other.
 8. The structure of a foldable underwater sports mask according to claim 1, wherein the two lens frames respectively have two outer sides, in which one of the outer sides has a male fastening portion, and the other of the outer sides has a female fastening portion; when the structure is in the folded state, the male fastening portion is adapted to be detachably buckled with the female fastening portion.
 9. The structure of a foldable underwater sports mask according to claim 1, further comprising a U-shaped fastener, wherein the two lens frames respectively have two outer sides, and two slots formed on the two outer sides; when the structure is in the folded state, the U-shaped fastener is adapted to be connected between the two slots.
 10. The structure of a foldable underwater sports mask according to claim 1, further comprising a head strap, wherein the two lens frames respectively have two outer sides, and the head strap is connected between the two outer sides.
 11. A body of the structure of the underwater sports mask according to claim
 1. 12. A carrying case suitable for accommodating the underwater sports mask being in the folded state according to claim
 1. 